07 March 2013

Harvest Moon Cafe

Harvest Moon Cafe is a throwback, granola-and-backpack hippie restaurant located in Canal Winchester. While most might use the term throwback to describe Canal Winchester, words like hippie are not typically associated with the city. Places like Harvest Moon give vegetarians in Downtown Canal Winchester a restaurant option with fresh, local flavor.

The restaurant at Harvest Moon is attached to the Garden Herb Shop, an area stocked with supplements, natural food products, wines and teas within the same building. The bar is loaded with organic wines and Ohio beer, including a number from Rockmill. The cocktails are inventive, with many made from Ohio spirits.

There is a veggie soup on the menu. The veggie chickpea soup is usually available, but soups change based upon the season.

The house-made black bean burger has a soft texture that is nuanced by the layers of cumin, black pepper and garlic flavor. The patty is soft, yet holds together into a cohesive whole. It is topped by a kaiser bun, avocado, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, sprouts and choice of cheese. The chips and black bean hummus make the dish a complete meal for $9.

Smoothies are fresh fruit rather than the syrupy goop from which most mall smoothies are made. Drinks are blended smoothly and lightly, accenting their ingredients.

Harvest Moon also offers a vegetarian-friendly breakfast menu. It can get busy because the Cafe seats less than 50, but turnover in the restaurant is quick.